Rockridge Reg'd

With the growing popularity of Boston Terriers within the past few years, many breeders, good and bad have cropped up all over North America.

Unfortunately a lot of these dogs were bred to make a quick buck. Special care in choosing the right breeding pairs were never considered thus ending up with a lot of puppies with debilitating genetic health issues.

Serious corneal diseases: http://www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/health/Eyes.html

Patellar Luxation: 

http://www.offa.org/patluxgeninfo.html 

seem to be the most prevalent. These puppies and dogs more often than not end up either abandoned or sent to rescues or shelters. People simply do not have the money to care for the sick dog.

Here at Rockridge, I have chosen my AKC-CKC dogs with a lot of conviction. I have studied their Pedigrees, overall health of litter parents and genetics, body type, weight and colour.

All my dogs will be genetically health tested by a  CERF (eye diseases) registered opthamologist. 

Patella's are tested by an OFA or PENNHIP specialist or a board certified orthapaedic surgeon on all adults prior to being bred.

 It is recommended by the BTCA "Boston Terrier Club of America"  That Bostons should be tested for: OFA patella, CERF & BAER.

BAER testing "hearing" is not readily available in my area, that is why I do not do this test at this time.

These tests are not done by a regular DVM, but rather  are performed by board certified specialists in each particular field. 

I feel testing is essential to providing a good genetic health base for my breeding program. These test will allow me to better asses my dogs and therefor decide whether to breed a litter or not. 

Testing to me = peace of mind!
 

All results are then made public via the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals: 

http://www.offa.org/ 

& CERF 

http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

All other regular/annual health exams vaccinations are performed by my local and very trusted veterinarian. My dogs are always taken in for a preliminary exam prior to breeding, to make sure everyone is ship shape. 

My dogs are on a regular vaccination schedule. Rabies every 3 yrs.

However starting in 2008 I will no longer be vaccinating every year. I will be doing a simple blood test called Titer. This test shows how much vaccine is left in the dogs systems. Cost of this test is approximatly equal to the cost of vaccinating each pet.

I feel that we over dose our dogs with vaccines not knowing the overall effects down the road. Especially in my case having a breeding program, I don't want any ill effect on the unborn pups.

Titer testing will allow my veterinarian to either adjust the amount of vaccine given or skip it all together if levels are still withing the acceptable range and re-test for levels the following year.

From my understanding this is relatively new testing, but will become more readily availiable as people become aware of the risks of over vaccinating.

My dogs are also on Heartgard Plus for 6 months of the year, yearly Bordatella and they also receive a yearly vaccine for Lyme disease as it is becoming a problem in our area.